The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis is a dual timeline historical fiction novel, publishing today that takes place in 1936 and 1978. It involves love, betrayal, a mystery and the examination of the place of women in society.

I really enjoyed my experience with this novel that was clearly well researched. This was the first novel I have read by Fiona Davis, but it won't be the last. She has an approachable writing style with short chapters and a compelling narrative. I would have preferred both timelines to be equally fleshed out, but I appreciated all the historical details and descriptions sprinkled throughout the text. The details of how antiquities are authenticated were particularly interesting.

Thank you to NetGalley and The Penguin Group (Dutton) for allowing me to read an early copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Fiona Davis shines again with her typical yet engaging exploration of history connected to interesting NYC buildings. This time around, we are taken to the Met, in the midst of preparation for the annual Gala, the arrival of the King Tut exhibition in NY, and an exploration of ancient Egyptian relics. I love that she addressed early work and perspectives related to repatriation, still so relevant today. The two main characters, different yet so similar, were thoughtfully juxtaposed to shine a light on how societal and familial circumstances influence life choices. There were a couple of loose ends I wish had been resolved, and I wish some of the history had been less fictionalized, but overall I really enjoyed my time with this book.

Thank you to Penguin Group, Dutton, Netgalley, and the author for early access to this interesting story.

This is the story of Charlotte and Annie.
Charlotte was an Egyptologist in 1936 when she discovers a burial chamber containing a broad collar necklace. It was also during this time when she fell in love, got married and had a baby. As the three of them leave in a rush, a tragedy occurs but not before Charlotte spots the broad collar in her husband’s suitcase.
In 1978, Charlotte is now working at the Metropolitan Museum of Art as the assistant curator of the Department of Egyptian Artifacts and Annie is hired on to be the new personal assistant to Diana Vreeland (former Vogue fashion designer) and they are preparing for the Met Gala. When the broad collar shows up at the Met and is put on display for the Gala, Charlotte is shocked. She thought it had disappeared along with her husband and baby years ago. Does its reappearance also mean that maybe her husband and baby are still alive?
The night of the Gala, both Annie and Charlotte get caught up in the ensuing chaos when the Cerulean Queen is stolen. Charlotte knows she now has to return to Egypt, which is something she vowed she would never do. Annie joins her and they investigate rumors of the location of the Queen and try to find Charlotte’s family.

THE STOLEN QUEEN by Fiona Davis is an adult, historical, women’s fiction story line loosely based on the history surrounding the discovery and life of Egyptian Queen Hatshepsut.

Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives (Charlotte and Annie) following two timelines (1936 and 1978) THE STOLEN QUEEN focuses on anthropology student turned assistant museum curator Charlotte Cross. In 1936, at the age of nineteen, while on an archeology dig in Egypt, anthropology student Charlotte Cross fell in love with archeologist Henry Smith; discovered an ancient Egyptian artifact, and in a matter of months her life spiralled out of control. Fast forward to 1978, now sixty-two year old Charlotte, working as the assistant museum curator at the Metropolitan Museum Department of Egyptian Art would have to face down her memories, when the theft of a familiar antiquity brings with it heartbreak from the past.

Meanwhile, nineteen year old Annie Jenkins, whose own life is changing in the face of rejection, has been hired as the personal assistant to Met Gala fashion coordinator Diana Vreeland, a position that puts her up close and personal with the theft of the Egyptian artifact. A journey to Egypt for both Charlotte and Annie comes full circle when Charlotte confronts the past, and Annie recognizes a possible connection to the Metropolitan theft.

THE STOLEN QUEEN is a story of mystery that blends fact with fiction; history with mythology; heartbreak and resolution. Fiona Davis pulls the reader into a mystery of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, greed and obsession. The premise is dramatic and entertaining but the conflict resolution is cursory and hurried. The characters are determined, desperate and charismatic.



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4.5⭐️ Publishing 1/7/24
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced digital copy! Phenomenal story about the quest to solve not only an ancient Egyptian mystery, but also one that is deeply personal to our MC. I was invested in both storylines (30's and 70's)! Well crafted with young love, ambition, family and steeped with real life history just given different names and dates. I LOVED IT!!!

My book club will be zooming with the author in 3 weeks!

I would read ANYTHING Fiona writes!!!

There are three things I can count on when I pick up a Fiona Davis book: A unique setting, a ton of meticulous research, and a story full of questions that keep me reading until the very end. THE STOLEN QUEEN did not disappoint.

Like her previous books, THE STOLEN QUEEN is set at an iconic Manhattan landmark. This time, it's New York's Metropolitan Museum. It's the story of Charlotte Smith, an Eqyptologist hiding a tragic secret and Annie, a young woman struggling to find her identity while caring for her narcissistic mother.

The women's lives intersect when an ancient necklace is loaned to the museum by an anonymous donor. For Annie, the necklace is a chance to impress Diana Vreeland and (eventually) secure a job as her assistant for the Met Gala. For Charlotte, however, the necklace holds greater meaning. For it is a link to a past she's struggled for 40 years to forget. A past that has her afraid of ever visting Egypt again.

When, on the night of the Gala, a famous artifact is stolen, and Annie falls under suspicion, Charlotte is forced to revisit her past.

Through alternating points of view and timelines, Davis takes a simple mystery and turns it into a story of lost love, betrayal, and self-discovery. It's a complex story that kept me reading until the end.

My only complaint is that Davis likes to tie her stories up in too happy a bow. To do this involves some very contrived conveniences.

Even so, I really enjoyed the book. Davis brings her iconic settings to life in a way that makes them seem like living and breathing entities. Despite the flaws, her stories remain an autobuy for me.

Thanks Netgalley for the advanced read in exchange for my honest review.

This was a great read. Charlotte was a great character who really came to life throughout the story. The sense of quest and adventure woven into this book was stunning, and the history in the book was full of life. Davis was really able to take history and present it in a really interesting and compelling way. This was just stunning in every way, and I cannot wait for my library to get our copies because this book would make for such a fun display.

I was very excited to get an arc for this book! I found the premise very interesting, especially since I will be taking a trip to Egypt later next month. It is my first book by this author, and it will definitely not be my last.

Set in two timelines, both in Cairo and in New York City, this book follows the lives of Charlotte, an anthropology student, in 1936 and present day, 1978, where she is an associate curator in the Department of Egyptian Art at the Met. And, Annie, in the present day, an 18-year-old who has just landed a job as an assistant to the famous former Vogue fashion editor, Diana Vreeland, preparing for the Met Gala.

Highlights |
•Ancient Egypt/Archeology
•The Met
•Female Pharaoh
•Mystery & Intrigue
•Theft of the ‘Queen’

This book will transport you across time and continents in a story that contains mystery, glamour, a little romance and an adventure that combines fact with fiction. The ending was a bit surprising for me, but overall, I really enjoyed this book.

A special thanks to the publisher, Penguin Group Dutton and NetGalley for the advanced electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating | 4.25/5 stars

Fiona Davis knows how to take history and bring it to life. I learn so much from each of her books. The Stolen Queen is a book rich in Egyptian history, which is something that I know so little about. Now that I have finished the book, I am excited to find more books about Egypt and their history to continue learning.

From the very first page I was invested in Charlotte’s (LOVE THE NAME!) story. I love that at her “old age” of 63 she is still full of spunk and not willing to sit back letting life pass her by. Her quest for protecting artifacts takes her on great adventures throughout her life. Those adventures have molded her life and left her with a quest to head back to Egypt to search for the answers she’s been waiting her entire adult life for.

Another winner from Fiona Davis, The Stolen Queen opens in NYC in 1978. Charlotte Cross is a curator in the department of Egyptian Art getting ready to host the touring King Tut exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Meanwhile in her research she makes a potentially shocking discovery about an ancient Egyptian woman who she had been studying since her time working at an archaeological dig in Cairo back in 1938.

Also happening - the fashion event of the year, famous Met Gala. Young Annie Jenkins gets her dream job working for a fashion editor and Charlotte finds herself involved reluctantly when Annie wants to use a recently donated piece of jewelry that is familiar to Charlotte from her time in Egypt.

I LOVED this book. I’m not super interested in Egyptian history but Davis took a feminist angle here that I found really effective. I definitely want to visit the Met next time I’m in NYC to check out the Egyptian wing.

The Stolen Queen publishes next week on Tuesday January 7th. Thank you to the publisher and @netgalley for the digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve been a huge fan of Fiona Davis for years, and 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗻 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝗲𝗻 has been one of my most anticipated reads of 2025! Davis’s signature style is bringing the iconic buildings of NYC to life through captivating stories from the past. If you love museums you’re in for a real treat with 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗻 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝗲𝗻 as she brings us to none other than the incomparable Metropolitan Museum of Art!

The story alternates between Egypt in 1938 and New York City in 1978 and follows two remarkable women - Charlotte, a former archaeologist with a tragic past who is now a curator of Egyptian art at The Met, and Annie, an aspiring young assistant who lands her dream job working for the colorful and formidable Vogue editor, Diana Vreeland, on planning the Met Gala.

Charlotte and Annie’s paths cross over an Egyptian broad collar worn by the mysterious female Pharaoh named Hathorkare, which Ms. Vreeland wants for her costume exhibit at the Gala. Little does Annie know that the collar is a direct link to the mystery surrounding Charlotte’s personal tragedy. When the Gala goes painfully awry and an artifact goes missing, Charlotte and Annie team up to track it down, venturing to Luxor and Cairo where Charlotte must finally confront her painful past.

This was such an interesting and entertaining read about archaeology, museums, and the nuances of the antiquities trade. I love the way Davis touches on the moral and ethical issues surrounding ownership and preservation of antiquities. As someone who has always been fascinated by museums (I even volunteered for the Smithsonian for a few years!) I found this very thought-provoking.

The character development is superb, and seeing both Charlotte and Annie’s backstories helps to better understand the treatment of women at the time and how it shaped their lives and decisions going forward. My only (minor) quibble is that the ending felt a little rushed, and the big revelation was a bit underwhelming, but there’s so much here to love - a compelling mystery, adventure, an immersive atmosphere, and an unlikely but heartwarming female friendship. A solid 4.5 ⭐️ read that I absolutely recommend!

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for the e-ARC!

Egypt, 1936: When anthropology student Charlotte Cross is offered a coveted spot on an archaeological dig in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings, she leaps at the opportunity. That is until an unbearable tragedy strikes.

New York City, 1978: Nineteen-year-old Annie Jenkins is thrilled when she lands an opportunity to work for former Vogue fashion editor Diana Vreeland, who’s in the midst of organizing the famous Met Gala, hosted at the museum and known across the city as the “party of the year.”

Annie is such an adorable character. She is smart as a whip! I could just picture her when she made her big mistake…you will have to read this to find out. But let me tell you, this just made her stronger and almost invincible.

Then there is Charlotte. Even though she is one of the first female architects, she let life beat her down (don’t get me wrong, it would have beaten me down too!). Her life turned out a lot different than she expected. It takes her a while, but she eventually realizes where she needs to be!

The dual timelines in this tale are expertly done! No doubt about it. I loved both sections of the past and the present.

This is not my favorite Fiona Davis novel. It just did not keep me as captivated as some of her other books. However, it is still 4.5 stars, rounded up! She is just an amazing writer. She always has a great story, with strong women characters surrounded by wonderful history.

Need a unique archeological tale….THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

The Stolen Queen is an engaging historical mystery standalone by Fiona Davis. Due out 7th Jan 2025 from Penguin Random House on their Dutton imprint, it's 352 pages and will be available in hardcover, paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links.

This is a well written character driven historical mystery with enough Egyptology, history, exotic locations, and intrigue to satisfy, along with a dual timeline mystery/tragedy and lots of high-end NYC glamour centered around the Metropolitan Museum and the wildly successful Tutankhamen artifact exhibit in 1978.

The author is adept at characterization and setting and they are rendered realistically. Main character Charlotte is likeable, intelligent, driven, and haunted by tragedy from decades earlier. The mystery itself is full of interesting Egypt history, archaeology, and well paced (with the possible exception of the denouement and resolution, which were a trifle rushed and tied-up-in-a-perfect-bow).

The guilty parties are suitably loathsome and awful, and the ending is satisfying. It's a standalone, without any suggestion of a follow up, which is refreshing in the current publishing climate which generally requires two follow-up books in the bag before publishing the first.

It would make an excellent choice for public library acquisition, home use, or possibly a nice buddy/group read. The author/publisher have included an interesting afterword as well as an abbreviated bibliography for further reading.

Four stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes

I recently discovered Fiona Davis and love her books! This one doesn’t disappoint. After returning from an amazing vacation to NYC, her books take me back to all my favorite landmarks. Stolen Queen has the right combination of historical fiction, mystery, and relatable characters to make it a fantastic read! Eager fans are in for a treat! Highly recommend! 5 stars!

In The Stolen Queen, Fiona Davis masterfully combines history, mystery, and romance into one compelling tale. Charlotte and Annie are the two main characters who are at different points in their lives. The story allows reader’s to traverse between the 1930s and the 1970s with the point of view alternating between Annie and Charlotte. I enjoyed the picturesque descriptions of the artifacts as well as the art in the museum and the costumes (and fashions). The author brought the scenes to life for me (I could envision them in my head). There were a couple of interesting side characters in the story. One of my favorites was Annie’s landlady, Mrs. Hollingsworth. There were intriguing surprises along the way while other plot points were expected. The pacing was good throughout the story, and I like how it ramps up near the end as discoveries are made. The ending ties everything up neatly with a bow (a little too neatly). There was one part of the ending that I wish had been done differently, but that is my personal preference. I enjoyed getting a glimpse of the work archaeologists do at a dig sites and in museums. I would love to attend the exhibition that Diana Vreeland created. She had creative ideas. The author brought The Met and The Met Gala to life with her vivid word imagery (the beautiful fashions worn by the attendees). The Stolen Queen is a fascinating tale with an archaeological dig, fascinating fashions, a unique collar, a sinking ship, Hathorkare’s curse, an enigmatic donor, and uncovering the facts.

Summary:
Hathorkare was a rare find in Egyptian history: she was a female Pharaoh. Her history isn't free from scandal and mystery. Theories. Mysteries. Questions. A supposed curse. So how does she become involved with two women alive centuries after her death? For Charlotte, the Pharaoh was a passion that came too close to home. For Annie, a fascination from her past becomes a key figure in her present and future.

Dang!! Fiona Davis has done it again!!!! She has written, yet another, phenomenal story. One that will suck you in and have you not want to put it down. How does she do this?! Personally, she's accomplished a rare feet for me. I have a long, rather frustrating, history of DNFing previous attempts of Egyptian storylines. They always sound so good, but I lose interest or get overwhelmed with all the history. But, Fiona, has balanced the history of her characters and keeping the reader coming back for more.

Fiona took a rare figure in history- one that I bet few would have known existed- and introduced us. Not just introduced, but let us get to know her in a way that present day readers who aren't educated in Egyptian culture and history can understand. On top of all that, she made her relatable and human and someone the reader is rooting for.

Charlotte Cross is an employee of the Metropolitan Museum in New York City. Having been there for decades, she is heavily involved with the Egyptian section. During the late 1930s, Charlotte was given the opportunity to travel to Egypt and assist in a dig within the Valley of Kings. It's there, she discovers the underground tomb. The very tomb of a female Pharoah, Hathorkare. She learns the the history of her discovery and the scandal involving images of her being destroyed after she died. However, as Charlotte researched more into her Pharaoh, she disagrees with much of what has been told of her.

As you read more of Charlotte's time in Egypt, you learn she falls in love, gets married and has a child. All of this is taken from her during a horrendous storm on the Nile. While she survives the sinking of their ship, her husband and daughter do not. Along with her onboard were a coworker and stolen items from the digs done- including those belonging to Hathorkare. Has the curse caused the sinking? More importantly, can Charlotte ever recover from losing her husband and infant daughter?

Annie is 19 year old who should be establishing her own life. Instead, she's taking care of her narcissistic, selfish mother. A former model, too old to continue working, Jackie is a mentally delicate woman since her husband's death forced them to survive on their own. Jackie is left without her husband to take care of everything and Annie is left without the Father she loved so much. No more going to the Metropolitan Museum to stare at the Egyptian Art Collection.

Charlotte and Annie meet the night of the Met Gala when everything goes wrong and priceless Egyptian artifacts are stolen. The only two people who interacted with the mysterious thief, they end up teaming up to locate what was taken. Annie wouldn't mind clearing her name and that of a coworker friend. This mission takes them back to Egypt and uncovers so much more than either woman expected.

Run- don't walk- to buy this book. Clear your calendar and let Fiona take you on a journey like no other. Solve a mystery. Find love. Answer burning questions. Learn from the past and see how it can shape the present, as well as the future. You won't be sorry.

Although the study of Egyptology may not seem very exciting, Fiona Davis weaves it into this story and makes it very compelling. Told over a span of about 50 years, this is both a mystery and a story of love, loss and achievement.

Charlotte Cross is a respected curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art but many years ago she was a part of the discovery of a tomb of a woman Pharoah and found. Happily married with a child, her life is shattered when the ship she and her family are traveling on across the Nile collides with another ship and goes down. Years later, she still presumes her husband and daughter perished in the sinking. She had discovered amid the chaos that her husband was potentially involved in smuggling Egyptian artifacts out of the country which has always stayed in her mind.

Annie is a lonely 19 year old who is struggling to care for herself and her self-involved mother who is a fledgling model. She cleans the home of their landlady when she is given the opportunity to assist one of the highest members of society with the upcoming Met Gala. She notices, one of the "stolen" Egyptian artifacts and suggests it become part of the fashion exhibits at the Gala. This is where she meets Charlotte who insists that it is too valuable but Annie's high society boss strongarms the head of the museum to allow it to be used.

The night of the gala becomes completely chaotic as a plan to steal another artifact is set into motion involving both Charlotte and Annie who try to apprehend the thief. This leads them on a quest to find the thief because the theft seems related to the ones long ago by her husband and a colleague. They go to Egypt where they track down a smuggling organization that is determined to get artifacts back into Egypt, which is why the theft of the Cerulean Queen was carried out during the chaos of the Gala.

What ensues is a story filled with questions, travel, self actualization, reflection and so much more. This is a book not to be missed!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book for free in exchange for my review! All opinions are my own.

I was so excited to get approved for this book, Fiona Davis an excellent writer of historical fiction! Even though I really enjoyed this book and will be giving it 5 stars, I still think my favorite book of hers is The Lions of New York. Still, I would definitely read this book again.

I also enjoyed the audiobook narration by Linda Jones. I don't believe that I had listened to a book narrated by her before, but I would definitely consider it in the future.


If you love historical fiction, this is the book for you!!

All the stars!!!


Many Thanks again to NetGalley, Dutton Books, and PRH Audio for providing me with this book and audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

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First of all, a huge thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for the advance copy of the Stolen Queen. I’ve been reading Fiona Davis for years so I was thrilled to get my hands on an early copy. Anyway, I enjoyed this. I was a little afraid at first that the Egyptology would weigh the book down, but not to worry, it does not. I think Davis did a good job of balancing that with the plot. I do think it was a little unbelievable how things tied up, and maybe a little slower than I usually find her books, and for that, it wasn’t a 5 star read for me, but I still liked it.

Fiona Davis does it again. Her latest novel The Stolen Queen weaves Egyptian history along with the Met Gala in the perfect way. She balances history alongside fashion and family connections.